Magnetically supported guide bar for torches and the like



Nov. 19, 1957 o, ANGLE 2,813,710

MAGNETICALLY SUPPORTED GUIDE BAR FOR TORCHES AND THE LIKE Filed Feb. 4. 1954 Richard 0. Angle INVENTOR.

WW Fm United States Patent MAGNETICALLY SUPPORTED GUIDE BAR FOR TORCHES AND THE LIKE Richard 0. Angle, Rocky Mount, Va., assignor of twentyfive percent to John H. Ferguson, Wirtz, Va.

Application February 4, 1954, Serial No. 408,261

2 Claims. (Cl. 26623) This invention relates to a magnetically supported guide bar for torches and the like and more particularly to a device which may be selectively positioned on a body of magnetic material which is to be severed by a cutting torch or the like for the purpose of guiding the movement of the cutting torch.

An object of this invention is to provide a magnetically supported guide bar for torches and the like wherein a plurality of magnets are provided with means for clampingly engaging a guide bar to position the guide bar on a body of magnetic material.

A further object of this invention is to provide a magnetic support for a guide bar for torches which may be utilized with a straight guide bar or an angular guide bar.

A further object of this invention is to provide a clamp for supporting articles on a body of magnetic material.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a magnetically supported guide bar for cutting torches and the like which is simple and efiicient in construction and durable and lasting in use.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings hereof wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the magnetically supported clamps used in conjunction with a straight guide bar;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along section line 22 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a top plan view showing the magnetically supported clamps used in conjunction with a curved guide bar.

Referring now more specifically to the accompanying drawings it will be seen that the improved magnetically supported guide bar for torches and the like includes, an elongated bar supported on a plate of magnetic material 12 by means of supporting clamps 14. The bar 10 is to be positioned on the plate 12 along the line which it is desired to cut with a cutting torch 16. Then the operator of the cutting torch 16 can slide the torch along the bar 10 to provide an even cut on the plate 12.

The supporting clamps 14 each comprise a magnet 18 of any suitable configuration, the configuration shown being for the purposes of illustration only. Fixedly secured to each of the magnets 18 is a first arm 20 which extends from one side of the magnet. Also fixedly secured to the magnet 18 is a second arm 22 which extends from the same side of the magnet 18 as arm 20 and is spaced from and parallel to the arm 20. Suitable fasteners 24 may extend through the arms 20, 22 and the magnet 18 for securing the arms 20 and 22 in position thereon. The arms 20 and 22 are formed of a nonmagnetic material.

The other end of the arm 20 is provided with a jaw portion 26 and the other end of arm 22 is provided with "ice a jaw portion 28. The jaw portions 26 and 28 oppose each other and are provided with cut-outs 30 and 32 respectively which cut-outs engage the rod 10. The jaw portion 26 is provided with an internally threaded bore 34 extending therethrough and the jaw portion 28 is provided with a bore 36 aligned with the bore 34. A set screw 38 having a knurled knob 40 at one end thereof extends through the bore 36 and is threadedly engaged in the bore 34. By tightening the set screw 38 the jaws 26 and 28 will be urged toward one another to frictionally clamp the rod 10 in the cut-out portions 30 and 32.

Figure 3 discloses the use of supporting clamps 14 in conjunction with a curved rod 42. The supporting clamps 14 engage the rod 42 in the same manner as they engage the rod 10.

In practical use of the device when it is desired to cut a plate of magnetic material by using a cutting torch or the like the appropriate bar 10 or 42 or any other suitable configuration is provided with a pair of supporting clamps 14. Then, the magnets 18 are placed into engagement with the plate 12 so that the bar extends along the line to be cut, the cutting torch is allowed to slide along the bar thereby providing a cut corresponding to the configuration of the bar.

The supporting clamps 14 may also be used for supporting articles on a body of magnetic material. In such an instance the article is placed between the jaw portions 26 and 28 and the set screw 40 tightened to retain the article in position. Then, the magnet is merely placed against the body of magnetic material to retain the clamp in position thereon.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and changes may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. As a new article of manufacture, a readily applicable and removable support device for a rigid elongated cutting torch guide bar comprising, in combination, a permanent magnet of channel-shaped cross-section, a first arm having one end portion fitted and secured to said magnet in the channel portion, a second arm having one end portion superimposed upon and afiixed to the crest of the magnet, the other end portions of said arms projecting beyond one vertical end of said magnet in spaced parallelism and terminating in opposed cooperating guide bar embracing and gripping jaws, and manually regulable means accessibly, separably and adjustably interconnecting the jaw-equipped end portions of said arms.

2. For use as a mechanical aid when using a cutting torch, in combination; an elongated rigid guide bar cylindrical in cross-section and of non-magnetic material, the surfaces of said bar being uninterruptedly smooth; elevating, supporting and temporary anchoring means for said bar characterized by a plurality of manually applicable and removable permanent magnets, said magnets being magnetically applicable to a body of magnetizable material for securing said bar in a prescribed workable position atop said material; securing means embodying clamps of non-magnetic material fixedly secured to said magnets, there being at least two magnets and two clamps and said clamps having jaws which grippingly but do not wholly encircle and embrace said bar, whereby lengthwise surface portions of said bar project and occupy a position beyond the adjacent tip ends of the jaws and so that the embracing and gripping action of the jaws does not cover and obstruct that surface of the bar along which the torch is dragged and by which it is guided; each clamp comprising a pair of arms fixedly secured to a companion magnet and extending horizontally and at right angles beyond one vertical end of said magnet, said arms being in spaced parallel relationship, each of-said arms being provided with a jaw member adjacent the outer end thereof and said jaw members being opposed in operative relation, and means interconnecting the arms of each pair and urging the jaw members to frictionally grip said bar.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Boehrn Nov. 18, 1918 Sommer et a1 May 3, 1932 Truba et a1 June 27, 1933 Faulkaber July 6, 1943 Garrett Dec. 11, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Apr. 4, 1929 Great Britain June 23, 1942 

